The
Sources/ Pramanas of Indian Christian Theologies
Western
Christian theologies had not yet sought proper guidance on pramanas or sources
of valid knowledge. For the construction and development of ICT sources is
indispensable. There are three sources/pramanas of ICT-
i. Scriptures
Scriptures
is the word of God and literature of the people of God. Daniel L Migliore in
his “faith Seeking Understanding” says “… the detachment of aestheticism lies
the real authority of scripture in the life of the community of faith”. Faith is God given gift and Reason is God
given faculty. Scriptures is God’s revelation to human being and it is the mind
releasing the essence of God. Scripture is a sign of God’s self abasement. It
is the granary of wisdom which is expressed in human language. It is also an
important collections of testimonies. hence, the main source of ICT is the
scripture.
ii. Philosophies
It
is fruitful to see that in India the question of authority has occupied a
central point in all the systems of Indian Philosophy from their beginning. In
fact, one of the crucial differences between these systems is the nature of
authority of religious knowledge each uses. It must also be noted that in
earlier times in India, as elsewhere, there was no differentiation made between
philosophy, theology, religion, culture, etc., and so what was authoritative in
one area was valid also for the others.
Hence,
in developing a relevant theology for India and especially for the Hindus, it
is imperative that Christian views of why we believe must first be established
and communicated to them.
Pramanas
in Hindu tradition of Philosophy:
The
term for authority in Hindu philosophy is Pramana, way of valid knowledge (from
Prama, right knowledge, knowledge which cannot be falsified). Each school of
Hindu thought accepted a set of pramanas as the true foundation for right
knowledge. Knowledge gained in ways other than these was not true knowledge —
it was either inadequate, transitory, and belonged to the category of
falsehood, doubt, illusion, dream, etc., but not true knowledge.
There are 6 sources from Hindu Brahmanic
philosophy
1.
Pratiksha - Perception
2.
Anumana – inference
3.
Upamana – Comparison
4.
Sabda – verbal testimony / scripture
5.
Arthapatti – postulation
6.
Anupalabdhi – non-perception
These Brahmanic Philosophy paved the way to ICT to develops and
edify the theology in its rich and diverse context. However, Christian
philosophy such as God as the creator, Trinity concept, Christology, The basic
tenets of Christian dogmas, the love of divine wisdom creates a great impulse
for ICT.
iii. Experience
Experience
can be very subjective like, What experience? Whose experience? and many more
are instilled in the mind. Indian Christian theologies doesn’t comes out of a
vacuum or isolation it deeply rooted in the experienced and life situation of
the people.
From
where does theology started talking about the suffering of the people?
Experience of suffering is very important. In India, the suffering experience
of the suppressed and depressed class people is a reality and indispensable.
The spirituality of Christians in India is middle class people because of the
quiet time. And all people don’t afford this quiet time. It takes cultural
experience at the starting. If you are not critical enough while taking
cultural experience, you domesticate God where you consider God according to
what you want. Western theology has not given a place for experience,
experience for local people. For Indian Christian theology experience is one of
the most important sources for ICT.
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